Message delivery device and display system for use therewith

ABSTRACT

A message delivery device for communication between a sender and a receiver having a container, a cover having a label on it that is easily personalized to a specific sender, and a rolled-up message strip disposed within the container having a time-dependant message. The time-dependant message is read and displayed as the user un-rolls the message. A display system having rows to hold the message delivery devices and a pull-tab for displaying the time-dependant message outside of the container is also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is related to and claims the benefit ofProvisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60/191,042 entitled MESSAGEDELIVERY DEVICE AND DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR USE THEREWITH and incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to greetings or message devices,and more particularly, to a rolled up message or greeting within acontainer and a display system for use therewith.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0003] Many different styles and designs for greeting cards have beendeveloped over the years and are used for announcing parties, conveyinggreetings, and for otherwise communicating feelings or emotions.Numerous features have been used to enhance conventional greeting cards,such as pop-up three-dimensional figures. Despite these features, thegeneral concept of the greeting card has not changed—the card is openedand the message is revealed.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a unique device for delivering amessage or other greeting in which the message is revealed differentlythan the traditional greeting card. There is also a need for a displaysystem for such devices that allows the purchaser to view the hiddengreeting or messages within the devices before purchasing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention features a message delivery deviceincluding a generally cylindrical message holding container having aremovable cover and a rolled-up message strip within the message holdingcontainer. The message holding containers can have various colors andconfigurations and the covers of the message holding containers includesome visible indicia such as pictures, words or the like, and can alsoinclude a To/From label in various colors and designs. The covers can betwist off or pull off type covers.

[0006] The present invention also features a display system comprising acontainer holder having one or more shelves at a front portion forholding the message holding containers. The display system can belocated on a counter top, mounted as a rack display or can be freestanding. One or more display messages strips are slidably disposedwithin a rear portion of the container holder and corresponding to theshelves of the container holder. Each of the display message stripsincludes a tab, preferably corresponding to the design of the cover ofthe containers being displayed on the corresponding shelves. The tabsare pulled to reveal the message within the containers on thecorresponding shelf.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] These and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be better understood by reading the following detailed description,taken together with the drawings wherein:

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the message holding containers,according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a side view of the message holding container, accordingto one embodiment of the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a top view of the message holding container, accordingto various embodiments of the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 4 shows a number of possible tops of message holdingcontainers, according to some of the various embodiments of the presentinvention;

[0012] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate a rolled up, partially rolled-up andunrolled message strip, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0013] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate a rolled up, partially rolled-up andunrolled message strip, according to another embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0014]FIG. 7 is a front view of a display system, according to thepresent invention;

[0015]FIG. 8 is a front view of the display system, according to thepresent invention;

[0016]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an open display system accordingto one embodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a display system according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate the closing of the display system of thepresent invention.

[0019]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a multi-sided display system,according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 13 is a top view of the multi-sided display system shown inFIG. 12; and

[0021]FIG. 14 is a top view of a multi-sided display system, accordingto further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] A message delivery device 10, FIGS. 1-3, according to the presentinvention, can be used to deliver greetings, invitations, or any othertype of message. The message delivery device 10 includes a messageholding container 12 and a cover or cap 14 removably engaged with themessage holding container 12. The cap 14 can be either a twist off orpull off type cap.

[0023] In one example, the message delivery device 10 is generallycylindrical in shape and approximately the size of a film canister thatis, about 2″ high, 1-¼″ wide. The message holding container 12 can bemade in various other sizes and shapes.

[0024] The message holding container 12 and cap 14 can be made invarious different colors and color combinations and with various designelements. The message holding container is preferably made fromcardboard but can be made from various other papers or other materialsincluding plastic and metal.

[0025] The caps or covers 14, FIG. 4, of the message holding container12 preferably include a design or other indicia 13, preferably in colorand preferably coordinated with the message or occasion to which themessage relates. The cover 14 preferably also includes a To/From labelwith various colors and/or designs. The particular colors and designsmay relate to a theme of the message, such as Valentine's Day,Christmas, or another holiday or special occasion.

[0026] Alternatively, the cap 14′ may not have any design, allowing thepurchaser to add a customized design or label. According to anotheralternative, the To/From label and/or design may appear on anotherportion of the message holding container 12, such as the side or bottom.

[0027] A rolled-up message strip 20, FIGS. 5A and 6A, is disposed withineach of the message holding containers 12. The rolled-up message strip20 can be made of paper, plastic or any other suitable material capableof being printed on and rolled up. The rolled up message strip 20includes the message text 22 and/or graphic designs 24 on either theinside surface 26 or the outside surface 28. In the preferredembodiment, the message to be displayed is printed on the outsidesurface and the inside surface may be blank.

[0028] It is important to note that the message text 22 is displayed tothe viewer in a time-dependant fashion wherein the reader is only shownthe part of the message text 22′, FIGS. 5B and 6B that is un-rolled. Itis not until the strip 20 is fully unrolled, FIGS. 5C and 6C that theviewer can see the entire message. The act of unrolling the messagestrip 20 and the time dimension to the unrolling add to the gift-likeenjoyment of the present invention.

[0029] In one embodiment (FIG. 5), the outside surface 28 includes asolid color or design, for example, a design motif corresponding to themessage theme. According to another embodiment (FIG. 6), the outsidesurface 28 can include a corporate/company logo with a sales,motivational, or personal message on the inside surface 26.Alternatively, the rolled up message strip 20 can be printed only on oneside.

[0030] The present invention also features a display system 30, FIGS. 7and 8, is used to display the message delivery devices 10, for example,to potential purchasers. The display system 30 includes a containerholder 32 having one or more shelves 34 for holding a row of messagedelivery devices 10. The container holder 32 includes a front portion 36for displaying the caps 14 of the message delivery devices 10. A rearportion 38 of the holder 32 includes slots 40 or other similar means ofholding a message bearing strip 42 on which is mounted an unfoldedmessage for and corresponding to each row of message delivery devices10.

[0031] A display message strip 42 is slidably disposed in each slot 40corresponding to each row of message delivery devices 10. The displaymessage strip 42 displays the message text contained within each of themessage delivery devices 10 on that corresponding row.

[0032] The message strip 42 preferably includes a pull-tab 44 for eachmessage delivery devices 10 in the corresponding row. The pull-tab 44can have a corresponding color (FIGS. 7 and 9) or a corresponding design(FIG. 10) as the message in the message delivery device 10.

[0033] In one embodiment, the holder 32, FIGS. 9 and 10, is formed aspart of a self-standing container 50. The self-standing container 50includes a hinged back panel 52. The hinged back panel 52 folds over thefront portion 36 of the holder 32 for easy packaging and handling (FIGS.11A-11D) . The back panel 52 helps support the self-standing container50 in an upright position. The back panel 52 may include promotionalsales materials, pictures, advertising or the like. In this embodiment,the message strips 42 are provided in a separate cartridge 54 thatslides into or locks onto the back portion of the holder 32.

[0034] In another embodiment, the display system 30, FIGS. 12-14,includes multiple holders 32 a-d to form a multi-sided revolving stand.Each of the sides or holders 32 a-d can include message delivery devices10 corresponding to a theme, for example, birthday, anniversary,graduation, wedding and the like.

[0035] Accordingly, the message delivery device of the present inventionprovides a unique way of delivering a greeting or message in a containerthat is a gift as well as a card. The unique display system allows thepublic to view the message contained within the containers in a way thatis similar to actually unwinding the message or greeting.

[0036] Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in theart are considered to be within the scope of the present invention,which is not to be limited except by the claims which follow.

1. A message delivery device for communication between a sender and areceiver comprising: a message holding container, said message holdingcontainer being generally cylindrical in shape; a cover, removablyengaged with said message holding container, said cover being easilypersonalizable by said sender for a specific receiver; and a rolled-upmessage strip disposed within said message holding container, saidrolled-up message strip having an inside and outside surface and amessage which is displayed to a receiver over time as said rolled-upstrip is unrolled.
 2. The message delivery device as claimed in claim 1wherein said message holding container and said cover are a materialselected from the group consisting of paper and plastic.
 3. The messagedelivery system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said message holdingcontainer is generally opaque.
 4. The message delivery device as claimedin claim 1 wherein said cover further includes at least a labelcomprising a “To” and “From” section with various designs/colors.
 5. Themessage delivery device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cover furtherincludes at least one design and at least one color.
 6. The messagedelivery device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said label relates to atheme message.
 7. The message delivery device as claimed in claim 2wherein said rolled-up message strip is made of a material selected fromthe group consisting of paper, plastic, and any other material capableof being printed on and rolled-up.
 8. The message delivery device asclaimed in claim 7 wherein said message on said rolled-up message stripincludes a graphical design.
 9. The message delivery device as claimedin claim 7 wherein said rolled-up message strip further includes amessage printed on said outside surface.
 10. The message delivery deviceas claimed in claim 9 wherein said rolled-up message strip relates to atheme message.
 11. The message delivery device as claimed in claim 1wherein said message holding container is approximately 2 inches (5.08cm) in height and 1.25 inches (3.17 cm) wide.
 12. The message deliverydevice of claim 1 further including a display system for allowing a userto view said message delivery device at least in an unrolled position.13. A display system used to display a message delivery device having acap comprising: at least one shelf for holding at least one row of aplurality of said message delivery devices; a front portion fordisplaying at least said cap of said plurality of message deliverydevices; a rear portion having at least one slot corresponding to eachof said row of said message delivery devices; and a display messagestrip slidably disposed in each of said message delivery devices, forallowing the display of a rolled message contained in each saidplurality of message delivery devices.
 14. The display system as claimedin claim 13 wherein said display message strip further comprises atleast one pull-tab.
 15. The display system as claimed in claim 13wherein said display system is part of a self-standing container, saidself-standing container comprising an adjustable back panel and at leastone supporting portion.
 16. The display system as claimed in claim 15wherein said adjustable back panel further includes promotional salesmaterial.
 17. The display system as claimed in claim 13 wherein saiddisplay system includes a plurality sides for displaying a plurality ofcaps of said message delivery devices.
 18. The display system as claimedin claim 13 wherein said display system includes a plurality sides fordisplaying a plurality of caps of said message delivery devices.
 19. Thedisplay system as claimed in claim 15 wherein said self-standingcontainer is rotatable.
 20. A combined display system and messagedelivery device for communication between a sender and a receivercomprising: a message delivery device comprising: a message holdingcontainer, generally cylindrical in shape, opaque, and made of amaterial selected form the group consisting of paper and plastic; acover removably engaged with said message holding container and beingpersonalizable by said sender for a specific receiver; and a rolled-upmessage strip disposed within said message holding container, and havingan inside and outside surface and a time-dependant message; and adisplay system for holding said message delivery device, said displaysystem comprising: a plurality of shelves, each of said plurality ofshelves for holding a row of a plurality of said message deliverydevices; a front portion, for displaying said cover of said plurality ofrows of message delivery devices; a rear portion having at least oneslot for each of said row of said message delivery devices; and adisplay message strip slidably disposed in each of said rear portionslots, said display message strip for displaying a rolled up messagestrip contained within said message delivery devices in said row.